Electronic distributor



' Gd. 2, 1937. W, G H, FINCH 2,097,392

ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTOR Original Filed Dec. 4, 1955 Z1 IIII IIII I I 5 Z 57 as 5 R.F R.F.

" QSCILLATDR AMPLIFIER M c o u 455 AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER LINEAR I swzEP 4 OSCILLATO J l -O O PULsE AMPLIFIER -0 0-1 '0 0- '0 -0 AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER AMPLI FIE AMPLIFIER -o o 0 INVENTOR wiLliam g. '.$'nck /XM e W ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 26, 1937 I H I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE M V a 2,097,392 9 7w V ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTOR 'William G. H. Finch, New York, Y. Originalapplication December, 4, 1 9 35, Serial No.

52,871, now Patent No. 2,057,773, dated October 20, 1936. Divided and this application'octoer 19, 1936, Serial No. 106,413

9 -Claims. (c1. 17s-'- 3) My invention relates to electronic distributors taken in connection with the drawing, in which; useful in signalling systems, and more particu Figure 1 is aschematic illustration of a prelarly relates to the application of an electron ferred embodiment for electrooptically transmitbeam distributor to high speed printing telegting printing telegraphy signals from a perforated. raphy. tape. g I

This invention is a division of the parent ap- Figure 2 isja schematic illustration of a receiver plication Serial No. 52,871 filed December 4, 1935 using an electronic distributor for translating the which matured into Patent No, 2,057,773 on Octoe printing telegraphy signals transmitted according ber 20,-1936. e l to Figure l. k I

\ Modern high speed printing telegraph systems In carrying out my invention, I employ anelec- 10 operate with a Baudot or five unit code. A con tron beam' l0 produced in a highly evacuated tinuous tape is successively punched with a prevessel ll." The'generation of the electron beam is determined combination of holes for each charfamiliar 'to'those skilled in the electronic art'a'nd acter. It is the practice to pass the tape through schematically shown in Figure l. The cathode apparatus having five mechanical feelers which in I2 is heated by the'heat'er I3 which is connected turn operate contactors connected to contact to suitable battery supply. The first. anode 14 plates onamechanical distributor. The mechanconcentrates: the emitted electrons into an ical distributor, as is well known in the telegraphy' electron beam. The high voltage anode" l5 a'cart, comprises a rotating arm for successively celerates the electrons of thebeam H! which contacting the contact plates to transmit coded passes between the electrostatic defiectingplates impulses in succession. The operation of me- IE, IT, l 8', and l9 and onto the opposite end.20 chanical distributors materially limits the speed of thevessel ll. of transmission of printingtelegraph signals. A high voltage direct current potential source It is the main object of my present invention 2| supplies the operating potentials for the elec to eliminate the mechanical distributor and subtrodes of the cathode'ray tube'l I. p A potentiom- 125 stitute electronic means therefor. The electron eter 22 is connected across the battery 2|.v beam of a cathode ray tube is made to scan over The second or high voltage anode I5 is connected the fluorescent screen to generate a moving light to the positive side 23 of the potentiometer 22 spot. A perforated message tape controls the which point is connected to ground in my pre-' H light spot action'upon a photo-electric cell 'to ferred embodiment. The firstanode' I4 is' congenerate signals transmitted as successive coded nected to a suitable intermediate potential by impulses. The substitution of an 'inertialess tap 24. The control grid 25 is negatively biased scanner for the mechanical selector in a distribu- I with respect to the cathode 12 by a suitable tap tor makes possible accurate transmission of teleg- 26 of the potentiometer 22, Deflecting plates [6, raphy signals at much higher speeds than herel8 and 19 are connected to the grounded high tofore possible. A receiver is arranged having potential point 23 to assume the same potential, an electronic distributor comprising a cathode as theanode I5. Defiecting plate I! is connectray stream acting upon a plurality of conductive ed to ground through highresistance2'l so that targets to select the transmitted code signals, and I the electrostatic deflecting plates and the anode l5 to operate standard telegraph printing apparatus. have a common static potential which is at 40 It is accordingly an object of my invention to ground potential, an operating I expedi t provide a novel high speed signalling system. o I v It Another object of my invention is to provide a T electron beam w focus'sedteupon I I novel electronic distributor to replace the mechanfi ht Screen 2 causing, a Spot of light 1 451,

1C8! distributor printing F t Y systems' appear on :the externalside thereof. The brilg gigsg g ggsgf g g gg: liance and intensity of the light spot is controlled tion of transmitter and receiver electronic disi igizi sggg gg fg g fg 553335;: .22

nall'n ste s. tubutors m 81g 1 g Sy m tween deflecting plates l6 and I1 is used to scan 50 A further object of my invention isto provide l,

novel methods of and means f high speed trans the electron beam 10 horizontally across fluoresmission and translation of coded signals succent screen "along P h The P g fie cessively punched in a perforated message tape. p y signals to be transmitted r impressed These and other objects of my invention will successive perforated coded groups along a mesbecome apparent in the following description sage tape 28. The perforated tape 28 is moved adjacent the preferably flat fluorescent screen 20 as illustrated in Figure 1.

The pcrforated message tape 28 is arranged on rollers 29 and 30 One of the rollers 30 is connected to an electrically operated mechanical stepping mechanism 3|. The mechanism 3| .may be a simple electromagnetic pawl and ratchet arrangement actuated directly from the local linear oscillator 43 and connected thereto by leads 4|. The electro-mechanical stepping means 3| is actuated once per cycle of the scanning frequency, and is accordingly arranged-to advance the tape 28 one notch or code group at the end of each scanning operation by electron beam H). The electron beam I0 is impinged upon the fluorescent screen 20 along the linear path 32 directly in line with the code group being scanned; v

The illustration of Figure 1 shows six'perforations being scanned corresponding to a predetermined symbol to be transmitted, Each perforation permits the moving light spot to impinge therethrough upon a photo-electric cell 33. A suitable lens 34 may be used to direct the light pulses passing through the perforations to the photo-electric cell 33. There is, accordingly, in the illustrated code group being scanned, a series of six consecutive light impulses impressed upon the photoeelectric cell 33. The photo-electric cell 33 is 1 connected to a suitable amplifier 35 which in turn is connected to the modulator 36 for modulating the radio transmitter system composed of the radio frequency oscillator 31, radio frequencyamplifi'er 38 and antenna system-.39. The perforations 42 illustrated at the left edge of the tape 28 correspond to the synchronizing impulses to be transmitted. Accordingly, at the end of each code group ofcombinations of five units transmitted, there is always a corresponding synchronizing impulse also transmitted for interlocking or synchronizing the oscillator at the receivingstation in a manner already described. The linear sweep oscillator scans the fluorescent light spot in a straight line across screen 20 directly behind the parallel code groups to be transmitted. The electro-optical system 33-34 is adjusted close to the horizontal scanning line 32 so as to translate the light impulses visible through the perforations to" corresponding photoelectric currents at photo-electric cell 33 for transmission. Each light spot visible through a perforation is translatedlinto a corresponding electrical impulse at the transmitter. The time lag or persistence of the fluorescent screen 20 is designed suiflciently small so as to avoid inter- V ference of the light spot between successive vertical rows of perforations of the successive horizontal code groups. The width of the path 32 is controlled by the voltage 'output of the linear sweep oscillator 40 and is'niade .equal'to the dis-' tance between the outer perforation rows. The

electromagnet stepping mechanism 3| is preferably operated by marginal relays to respond to the peak voltage output of the oscillator .40 for returning the electron beam H] to the next scan-.

ning line at the time the end vertical row of perforations is reached. The advancing impulse preferably occurs during the transmission of the synchronizing impulse corresponding to the vertical row of perforations 42.

The frequency of the linear sweep oscillator 40 determines the rate of code group transmission, one code group of scanning line occurring for each cycle of the oscillator output. The advanc ing operation of the tape is automatically per formed and does not interfere with the' speed of operation of the code transmission. Although I have ilustrated the synchronizing signals as being generated by a sixth vertical row of perforations 42, it is to be understood that by eliminating this row of perforations a. similar result may be obtained. Another method for generating the synchronizing signals is to permit the electron beam I I] to traverse somewhat beyond the message tape 25 so that the moving light spot may causea synchronizing signal impulse to be generated at photo-electric cell 33 at the end of each scanning cycle. The transmitted signals are coded combinations of five impulses (on or off signals) corresponding to the perforated ccde group, separated by a synchronizing impulse signal which is used at the receiv'eras will be hereinafter described "for maintaining synchronous operation and providing the printing impulses therefor.

In Figure 2 1 have illustrated electronic receiving apparatus for use in conjunction with the transmitter. The receiving antenna 59 is connected to the radio receiver 5| which detects and amplifies the telegraphy signals. The deflecting plates 55 and .58 are directly connected to ground potential. The second anode 51 is also connected to ground potential as is the positive terminal of the high voltage direct current source 58. The operating potential of the first anode 6! is adjusted with the tap 62 of the potentiometer Gil. Resistors 63 and 64 having high resistance, connect the deflecting plates 53 and 54 to ground static potential.

The receiver electronic distributor comprises essentially a cathoderay tube 65. An electron beam 66 is produced and caused to scan a plurality of metallic electrodes or targets 8'! arranged in a linear path on the back interior of'the face 58 of the evacuated envelope. .The targets 61 are individually connected to the input of am plifiers 65 at the outputs of which are connected relays 10. There are six relays 10 which are used to operate a local printing telegraph. The output of the receiver 49 controls the operation of the electronic distributor 65. The grid 12 bias potential is adjusted'to a suitable negative value by the potentiometer 13 .connected across the grid biasing battery 14.

The targets 61 at the receiver are arranged in a. linear path. The scanning of the electron beam 66 is produced by a linear or'sweep circuit oscillator 11 in a straight line. At one. end of the linearly arranged electrodes 51 there is the synchronizing electrode 61b connected directly to a pulse amplifier '73. The output of amplifier 18 is connected to'the sweep circuit oscillator 11 to interlock or synchronize its frequency with that at the transmitter; VThe output'of the sweep oscillator 11 is connected directly to the electrostatic deflecting plate 54 to cause the beam to normally travel in a linear path parallel to the targets 61. The electron beam 66 does not pass over any of the targets 61 except in response to a received signal which deflects it thereto as will be herein described.

The signals received by receiver 5| are detected, amplified and directly impressed upon the defleeting plate 53. The output of the receiver 5| is polarized and of suflicient magnitude so that.

when a signal impulse is impressed upon it, the action of the deflecting plates 5355 is to deflect the beam to the path 15 to impinge upon a pre determined target 61.

The beam 66 impinges upon the targets 61 in accordance with'the signal impulses. Synchronous action causes the beam to impinge upon predetermined targets which are directly connected'to corresponding amplifiers B9. The beam 66 accordingly produces an impulse at the input of the associated amplifier 69to actuate a printing relay 10. There are five such printing relays illustrated. These relays operate local selector mechanisms 80 for printing telegraphy operation.

The cyclic pulse output of amplifier I8 is con-' trolled by the actuation of target Blb by beam 66 nal impulse.

impulse-excite its circuit to maintain its frequency interlocked with that of oscillator 40 at the transmitter. The phase of the scanning signal of the impulse-excited interlocked oscillator 11 is adjusted by well known phase shifting means, schematically indicated at 16, to cause the electron beam 66 to pass over predetermined targets 61 in synchronization with the corresponding transmitted impulses in order'to maintain the code combinations for the printing mechanism; Once the beam 66'is adjusted in proper phase relation with the transmitted impulses, the electronic distributor according to'my invention will continue to be in synchronism with the transmitter and operate to selectively print the letters or symbols according to the coded punchingsin the perforated tape 28 passing the screen 20.

The synchronizing impulse is also used as a of magnets or selectors provided in a manner-well known in the art. The relays 10 will thereafter be'autom'atically reset in readiness for the next code group transmitted. I I

The scanning frequency in-cycles per second is equal to the rate'o'f transmission of'code groups per second. There is no inertia, mechanical wear, sparking or dust troubles with the electronic distributor of myinvention. A greatly increased speed of operation is possible with'this system as compared to existing printing telegraphy systerns employing mechanical distributors.

I claim: 7

1. In a signalling system operable with a tape perforated'in accordance with coded combinations of characters to be transmitted: electronic means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light across said-tape comprising an electron beam generator, means for deflecting said beam, a sweep oscillator connected-to said deflecting means for oscillating .said beam in a predetermined manner, and a fluorescent screen located in the path of said beam for producing a spot of light moving in accordance with said beam; means for moving said tape step by step past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape including means actuated by said sweep oscillator for advancing said'tape once per code group during each cycle of said oscillator; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses and for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse .foreach oscillation of said beam across said tape; and means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having a corresponding electron beamoscillated in the predetermined manner of the transmitter beam.

2. In a signalling system operable with a perforated tape: electronic means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light across said tape comprising an electron beam generator, means for deflecting said beam, a sweep oscillator connected to said deflecting means for oscillating said beam in a predetermined manner, and a fluorescent screen located in the path of said beam for'producing a spot of light moving in accordance with said beam; means for moving said tape step by step past said spot of light for pulse for each oscillation ofsaid beam across said I tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronicdistributor having means for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including a second sweep oscillator; and means for synchronizing the output of said second sweeposcillator' with the transmitter oscillator.

3. In a signalling system operable witha perforated tape: electronic means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light comprising an electron beam generator, means' for defle'cting said beam, a linear sweep oscillator connected to said deflecting means for oscillating said beam in a predetermined'manner, and a fluorescent screen located in the path of said beam for proclucing a spot of light moving in accordance with said beam; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light-corresponding to the perforations of the tape including an electromagnetic stepping mechanism actuated by said linear sweep oscillator for advancing said tape once per code group during each cycle of said oscillator; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses c'omprising'a photoelectric cell and means for focusing said light impulses upon said cell, and means for transmitting. a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having means'for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver,

beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator, and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam; and means for synchronizing the output or" the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to one of said targets, theoutpu't of said amplifier being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency.

4. In a signalling system operable with a perforated tape: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light comprising an elec tron beam generator, means for deflecting said beam, a linear sweep oscillator connected to said deflecting means for oscillating said beam in a beam; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape including an electromagnetic stepping mechanism actuated by said linear sweep oscillator for advancing said tape'once per code group during each cycle of said oscillatcrymeans for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses comprising a photoelectric cell and means for focusing said light impulses upon said cell, and means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having means for generating an electronbeam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator, and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means or impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; means for synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to an end one of said targets, the output 01' said amplifier being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse-excite and control its frequency, and means for controlling the electrical phase of said receiver oscillator output, whereby said receiver beam is impinged upon said tar ets in a predetermined synchronous relation with the transmitted signals; and means for translating the received signals.

5. In a signalling system operable with a perforated tape: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light comprising an electron zcam generator, means for deflecting said beam, a linear sweep oscillator connected to said deflecting means for oscillating said beam in a predetermined manner, and a fluorescent screen located in the path of said beam for producing a spot of light moving in accordance with said beam; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape including an electromagnetic stepping mechanism actuated by said linear sweep oscillator for advancing said tape once per code group during each cycie of said oscillator; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses comprising a photo-electric cell and means for focusing said light impulses upon said cell,

means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic d stributor having means for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including almear sweep oscillator, and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means for impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; means lor synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to an end one of said targets, the output of said ampiner being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency, and'means for controlling the electrical phase of said receiver oscillator output, whereby said receiver beam is impinged upon said targets in a predetermined synchronous relation with the transmitted signals; and means for translating the received signals comprising an amplifier unit individual to and controlled by each 0i;- said targets, relay means connected to said amplifier units for selecting characters corresponding to the transmitted characters.

6. In a signalling system operable with a perforated tape: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light comprising an electron beam generator, means for deflecting said beam, a linear sweep oscillator connected to said deflecting means for oscillating said beam in a predetermined manner, and a fluorescent screen located in the path of said beam for producing a spot of light moving in accordance with said beam; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape including an electromagnetic stepping mechanism actuated by said linear sweep oscillator for advancing said tape once per code group during each cycle of said oscillator; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses comprising a photo-electric cell and means for focusing said light impulses upon said cell, and means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having means for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator, and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means for impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; means for synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to an end one of said targets, the output of said amplifier being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency, and means for controlling the electrical phase of said receiver oscillator output, whereby said receiver beam is impinged upon said targets in a predetermined synchronous relation with the transmitted signals; and means for translating the received signals comprising an amplifier unit individual to and controlled by each of said targets, and relay means connected to said amplifier units for selecting characters corresponding to the transmitted characters, one of said relay means being controlled by said one target to provide a cyclic printing impulse for said translating means, said relay means being individually responsive to impulses generated as I said receiver beam impinges upon said targets.

'7. In a signalling system, operable with a tape perforated in accordance with coded combinations of characters to be transmitted: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light; means for moving said tape pastsaid spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses and means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having means for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means for impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; and means for synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to one of said targets, the output of said amplifier being interconnected with said oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency.

8. In a signalling system operable with a tape perforated in accordance with coded combinations of characters to be transmitted: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses and means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having means for generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the r receiver beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator and a plurality of target elec trodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means for impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; and

means for synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to an end one of said targets, the output of said amplifier being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency, and means for controlling the electrical phase of said receiver oscillator output, whereby said receiver beam is impinged upon said targets in a predetermined synchronous relation with the transmitted signals; and means for translating the received signals comprising an amplifier unit individual to and controlled by each of said targets.

9. In a signalling system operable with a tape perforated in accordance with coded combinations of characters to be transmitted: means for generating a transversely oscillating spot of light; means for moving said tape past said spot of light for producing impulses of light corresponding to the perforations of the tape; means for transmitting signals in accordance with said light impulses and means for transmitting a cyclic synchronizing signal impulse for each oscillation of said beam across said tape; means for receiving and distributing said signals comprising an electronic distributor having meansfor generating an electron beam, means for oscillating the receiver beam in a linear path including a linear sweep oscillator and a plurality of target electrodes linearly spaced in the path of said receiver beam, and means for impinging said receiver beam upon said targets in response to the received signal impulses comprising a pair of deflecting plates controlled by said received signals; means for synchronizing the output of the receiver linear sweep oscillator comprising a pulse amplifier connected to an end one of said targets, the output of said amplifier being interconnected with said receiver oscillator to impulse excite and control its frequency, and means for controlling the electrical phase of said receiver oscillator output, whereby said receiver beam is impinged upon said targets in a predetermined synchronous relation with the transmitted signals; and means for translating the received signals comprising an amplifier unit individual to and controlled by each of said targets, and relay means connected to said amplifier units, one of said relay means being controlled by said one target to provide a cyclic printing impulse for said translating means, said relay means being individually responsive to impulses generated as said receiver beam impinges upon said targets.

WILLIAM G. H. FINCH. 

